“The question in this wonderful history of Peter Schlemihl relates entirely to the last-mentioned quality, _solidity_. The science of finance instructs us sufficiently as to the value of money: the value of a shadow is less generally acknowledged. My thoughtless friend was covetous of money, of which he knew the value, and forgot to think on solid substance. It was his wish that the lesson which he had paid for so dearly should be turned to our profit; and his bitter experience calls to us with a loud voice, Think on the solid—the substantial!” So far Chamisso. “Peter Schlemihl” has been translated into almost all the languages of Europe. Of the Dutch, Spanish, and Russian translations we do not possess any copies. The French and Italian are as follows:— _Pierre Schlemihl_. _Paris_, _chez Ladvocat_, 1822.—This was revised by Chamisso in manuscript, who added a preface to it; but the translation was afterwards capriciously altered by the same publisher. _Un Roman du Poète Allemand contemporain_, _Adelbert de Chamisso_; _traduit par N. Martin_. _Histoire merveilleuse de Pierre Schlemihl_. _Dunquerque_, 1837.—At the end the translator has added a letter to a friend, with the Greek motto, “Life is the dream of a shadow.” The translator, while laughing in this letter at the Germans, who, he says, ought to write three folio volumes of explanatory notes on the little volume, falls into the error of being very diffuse himself in the attempt to elucidate his author. His long letter concludes not inappropriately with these words: “I have just observed, although certainly rather late, that I have written a letter full of shadows, and instead of lighting a torch to illuminate the darkness, have, I fear, only deepened the gloom. Should this be the case, the reader at any rate will not withhold from me the praise of having preserved the colours of the original.” _Merveilleuse Histoire de Pierre Schlemihl_. _Enrichie d’une savente préface_, _où les curieux pourront apprendre ce que c’est que l’ombre_. _Paris et Nurnberg_, 1838. _With illustrations_.—This translation was revised by Chamisso. _L’Uomo senz’ Ombra_. _Dono di simpatia al gentil sesso_. _Milano_, 1838. Published as an Annual, with a Calendar, and Engravings.—The editor is pleased not only to withhold the author’s name, but manages so to word his own preface as to lead his readers to conclude that he himself is the author of the book. “Schlemihl” was also brought on the stage, but without giving the honours of authorship to the true source. This took place at Vienna, in February, 1819. The announcement ran thus:—“Pulzlivizli, or the Man without a Shadow: a comic, enchanted drama, in three acts, adapted from De la Motte Fouqué, by Ferdinand Rosenau.” Among the characters were the grey man, and a certain Albert, probably intended for Schlemihl. Of the contents of the piece we know nothing.